For Immediate Release

New Zealand disaster relief organisations welcome Government funds.

New Zealand non-government organisations (NGOs) working in disaster relief have welcomed the Government’s swift response in releasing funds to assist initial response efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.

The NGO Disaster Relief Forum (NDRF), which coordinates New Zealand agencies responding to disasters, says the $750,000 in dollar for dollar funding will increase the amount raised by NGOs to help their partner organisations in the Philippines.

The UN estimates 9.5 million people across nine regions have been affected by the disaster in the Philippines, with an economic cost to the country of up to NZD$17 billion.

Ten organisations have launched appeals, so New Zealanders can immediately donate to humanitarian relief in the Philippines, knowing their contributions will be matched by the Government. www.NDRF.org.nz has a full list of agencies with public appeals.

“New Zealanders are already showing their generosity following the damage left by what has been called a ‘super’ typhoon,” says Dr Wren Green, the Director of the Council for International Development (CID). “The Philippines is incredibly vulnerable at the moment having suffered previous deadly storms and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake just last month.”

NDRF members involved in the response efforts are: ADRA, Caritas, CBM, ChildFund, CWS, Habitat for Humanity, Oxfam, Rotary New Zealand, Save the Children, TearFUND, UNICEF, World Vision and WSPA.

For more information on the crisis, or to support the growing number of victims of this conflict, visit the NDRF website: www.ndrf.org.nz

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